Long term lets (over 1 month) Short-breaks (4 days or less) Corporate bookings
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised Nearest amenities: 0.75 km
Notes:
Sorry - no pets allowed Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Home description
Spacious, 2 bedroom, luxury , air-conditioned apartments with a shared pool, within walking distance of central Spoleto – three quarters of a mile, in fact.
The interior photos are of APT 1, 4 + 6. And, there are another 3 apartments that are virtually identical in terms of interior design, differing slightly re their internal layout. APT 6 is the biggest. In every significant way, they are very similar. Please see my personal website for more photos.
With original beams and features throughout, each apartment has panoramic views of the acres of countryside that includes the pool with its masses of terrace space to allow everyone maximum privacy.
A local and very talented builder/architect created these superb apartments (2 bedroom/1 shower room/1 kitchen/diner with sitting area and fire-place – about 75 sq mts) from 2 typical 16C stone Umbrian farm cottages.
He has left intact all the original features…arches, beams, exposed stone and tiny nooks and crannies. This man is not only a brilliant artist in terms of restoration but he has proved to be a genius in finding original materials with which he has perfected the restoration.
These absolutely brilliantly designed apartments are an aesthetic delight. And, the entire setting is the last word in glamour ! Not only that, but, the location of Spoleto By The Pool could not be more perfect: it is a mere three quarters of a mile walk to Piazza Garibaldi and the historic centre of Spoleto, mainly along a quiet country lane and, the same to Spoleto train station. So, while a car is desirable, because there are no busses to the apartments, if you are the fit type who doesn’t mind walking, it would be very easy to do without a car.
At the end of the country lane – about half a mile from Spoleto By The Pool, when you hit the road, right there, before your very eyes, you have the most luxurious Co-Op in Italy !!!! This is a Co-Op like none you have ever seen in Italy. Yes, you can buy very inexpensive wine for about 1 - 2 euros a bottle; but, whereas in the usual Co-Ops, the most expensive wines on the top shelves are about 15 euros, here, you find those bottles much lower down the pecking order and, the best wines on the top shelves range around 100 euros and upwards. This is THE supermarket of the rich and famous !!! And, it caters for them…and how ! Obviously, you can also buy all the basics that only the rest of us can afford. But, it is interesting to just sit at its bar and people-watch – to try and spot a famous face. So far, I haven’t seen Prince Charles, even though I know he owns a villa nearby.
The point I am making is that there is a grocery store and a bar less than half a mile from Spoleto By The Pool. Also, right outside the Co-Op, there is a bus-stop from where you can hop on a bus to reach the top of Spoleto and the famous Rocca and Il Ponte. Very convenient if you only fancy walking down-hill, through the pretty, cobbled and arched streets of Spoleto, passing the myriad of shops, bars and restaurants along the way home.
And, even at night, it is walkable back from central Spoleto to Spoleto By The Pool - the country lane never gets too dark to see your way. Furthermore, the only cars on the lane to Il Pincio are those belonging to our guests and the owners of the other 2 villas on this lane. It is a very quiet lane. On arriving home, what could beat a late-night dip or, simply, a last drink by this fabulous pool !
The pool is shared between the 6 apartments that make up Spoleto By The Pool and, is 100 sq metres - large - and, the closest of any other pool, either private or public, to central Spoleto. Very wide terraces form a complete border around the pool and, therefore, it is easy to retain your absolute privacy, should you wish it.
All 6 apartments are spacious, light and airy and, have several windows with beautiful panoramic views overlooking the pool and the countryside all around Spoleto By The Pool.
Each apartment has a DVD/TV and its own terrace. And, there is a large communal utilities room with a washing machine - ironing facilities are in each of the apartments.
The grounds are expansive and, so, it is easy to tuck yourself away with a glass of wine and a book. Indeed, you would never have to be “friendly” with anyone else staying here, if you don’t want to be.
There is very easy access to Assisi, Perugia, Orvieto, Todi, Bevagna, Montefalco, Trevi, Spello, Norcia, the Gran Piano and Casteluccia…….everywhere that you’d wish to visit in Umbria and beyond, since Spoleto is in the very centre of Italy. And, Rome is just over an hour away by car or by train.
The 6 apartments in the grounds are located as such : 4, including APT 4, are part of the 2 storey cottage and, the other 2 are in the 1 storey cottage, right in front of the pool, separated by a garden. APT 4 is on the ground floor.
Very large lap and leisure pool - 100 sq mts
Pool , grounds and terraces lit at nights
4 apts-2 storey cottage/2 apts-1 storey cottage - all terraces lit at night/APT 5 nearest in photo
Looking down from courtyard of 2 storey cottage
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24575
The Umbria region
Umbria, the green heart of Italy and Spoleto is the jewel in its crown. From Spoleto, you have easy access to Orvieto, Assisi, Perugia, Bevagna, Montefalco, Trevi, Castelucia and the Gran Piano - all from 15 mins - 30 mins or so by car. And, Rome is just over an hour by car or train.
The summers are long and hot ! But, we have air-conditioning in all the apartments.
Umbria is choc-a-bloc with places of historical interest. You will find frescos around every corner, monasteries peppered across the olive groves and palaces of huge historic interest wherever you go. But, it is the scenery that captivates the soul ! And, the Umbrian people are wonderfully friendly, even if you can't speak a word of Italian. A visit to Umbria is a visit to REAL Italy - it is where Italian life in the raw begins and ends.
Spoleto / Central Spoleto area
The famous city of Spoleto resembles an illustration from one of those classic fairy-tale books. Walking through its cobbled, arched streets is like walking in a dream. It is the kind of place where fantasy meets reality and you believe that anything could happen !
It has very ancient Umbrian origins. It became a Latin colony and Roman community and life in Spoleto flourished. Many splendid monuments were built. Then, at the end of the 6C, Spoleto became the residence of one of the most important Dukes of Longobard. And, the town that centuries ago had heroically driven back Hannibal became self-governed. Later, it was invaded by the Barbarians.
Importantly, both these battles took place on the door-step of La Rocca dei Perugini, the building that houses 5 of our rental apartments, the latter battle of which caused La Rocca dei Perugini to be built in order that the Perugini could keep a watch on the conquered Spoletini. But, the Spoletini fought back, pouring hot burning oil upon the heads of the unfortunate Perugini, killing them outright. This took place just a few metres up the road from the Rocca dei Perugini at the Torre Del’Olio. And, after two years of blood-shed, the Spoletini regained Spoleto. Fortunately, these atrocities didn’t adversely affect the cultural growth of Spoleto much. From that period onwards, many magnificent monuments and works of Art were added to those that survived the atrocities. And, Perugia and Spoleto are now on friendly terms with one another, even though we all know that Spoleto should have been the capital of Umbria and, is clearly better suited for the role, given its central hill-top location and outstanding beauty !
Inside and outside the city walls of Spoleto, there are significant remains of the Umbrian polygonal kind and the Mediaeval Roman type. And, both mediaeval and “modern” monuments amalgamate with Roman ones. For instance, the Cathedral was constructed in 1067 on top of a church built in the 9C, which in its turn had been constructed on an even more ancient and classic building; S. Salvatore was constructed at the end of the 4C with building materials taken from a Roman structure nearby; S. Eufemia was constructed in the 12C on the site of an “island”, where there are walls and mosaic remains; the crypt of S. Isacco, near S. Ansano, originated in the temple of the Forum near the “Arco Del Druso”; and, the church and monastery of S. Agata was constructed on top of the Roman Theatre; the outstandingly beautiful church of S. Pietro was erected on a pagan site that had evolved into a Christian necropolis; the fortress of Totila was built over an amphitheatre; the Ponte delle Torri was built on top of Roman remains; and, the Rocca was built on an ancient Acropolis.
Strolling within the walls of this tiny, exquisitely pretty city, one can see monuments, churches, towers and all kinds of other buildings of historical interest as well as works of Art galore. Spoleto boasts numerous world famous institutions such as The Italian Centre for Studies on the Early Middle Ages, the Festival of Two Worlds (colloquially known as the Spoleto Festival) and The Experimental Opera Theatre. And, if you walk for a few minutes up to the Cathedral (the Duomo), you’ll see an example of what is arguably the most beautiful piazza in the whole of Italy – the very piazza that was featured in one of Brigitte Bardot’s early films and where her character lived and died.
However, it is not essential to be steeped in history to be able to appreciate the spirituality and awesome beauty of Spoleto. The spirit of its fascinating past is immersed in every stone and cobble. Within this mediaeval setting, you can also enjoy the finest wines, the best truffles and the most mouth-watering olive-oils in Italy in the myriad of bars and restaurants scattered in and around the tiny, arched streets. You can literally savour some of the best cooking in the world here. You can sit for hours in the piazzas, sipping real cappuccino and enjoying ice-creams to die for. And, for the really irreverent among you, there are always the shops and, not-to-be missed by any self-repecting Italian, that most famous of all Italian activities, the passagiata that takes place between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, come rain or shine !!! Or, you can simply watch the folks parading from the balcony of Terrazza Bella, if you happen to be staying there – but best join in…more fun !
Of particular interest to our guests who have children is the fact that there are several pools around here, all within easy reach. And, for those people without a car, the nearest pool is very large with picnic areas and a bar; and, there is a bus that takes you directly to this pool, which takes about 10 minutes. It stops at various points throughout Spoleto so that wherever you are staying, there will be a bus-stop conveniently placed for you.
For the more sporty amongst you, there is also a flash tennis club that you can use, which is within walking distance of almost anywhere you are staying – or, it is a short bus-ride from Piazza Garibaldi (otherwise, a 15 minute walk). And, there is pony trekking that takes place just outside of Spoleto. The stables are placed in a exquisite environment and, you can either go on long treks into the mountains or just do an hour or so in the nearby woods – all supervised, the level of supervision depending on your level of expertise.
Other activities available are swimming, fishing, cycling, walking......these and many more activities such as wine-tasting and truffle-trails can be investigated at the tourist office in Piazza Liberta in central Spoleto (0039) 0743 238 920/1 - the persons to speak to are Max or Cyncia, both of whom speak perfect English and who are very helpful – Max, in particular. Here there are also maps with places of special interest marked on trails (including the Rocca dei Perugini) as well as many more walking trails in the hills round about.
It is, also, very easy to reach Assisi, Perugia, Bevagna, Orvieto, Trevi, Norcia, Todi, the Gran Piano and Castelucia – all between 10 – 50 minutes drive. Or, there are the trains and the busses. And, our nearest lake is Bracciano, a small town with a castle, where the wedding took place of Tom Cruise and Katy Holmes – about a 50 minute drive.
However, while all these other Umbrian towns and cities are worth a visit, Spoleto is the one to actually stay a while because it has everything ! Of all the Italian cities, Spoleto is arguably the most beautiful and one of the most diverse in what it has to offer the world traveller. Very much a town and country experience, you can lounge in bars, gelaterie and restaurants, meander up and down the cobbled arched streets or, you can don your walking kit and set off into the hills, treading the very same foot-paths of the millions of pilgrims who have trod this path since time immemorial. Walk for a maximum of 15 minutes in any direction from anywhere in Spoleto and you can be in the mountains, immersed in the most spectacular scenery…….bright green valleys, hills covered with olive groves, thick woodland, monasteries, castles and tiny villages dotted here and there – a truly magical environment ! Particularly, if you start your walk from across the aquaduct.
Glamour and style….. Or, walking boots and a stick ! The choice is yours !
If you go to http://www.paginesi.it/perugia/spoleto/pianta.htm you will see a great map of Spoleto.
If absolute quietness is a necessary condition for your holiday to be enjoyable, then, you should not book any apartment or house that exists in a community. You should book somewhere high in the hills in one of the more remote parts of Umbria. However, be warned – with the exception of our mountain properties, you can still have dogs barking all night in remote places since Italians like to have dogs tethered there to guard their land. Further, you will often have white roads to contend with ie simple tracks made up of stones, rocks and boulders that are a nightmare to navigate ! And, there will be no nearby amenities such as a shop or a bar.
Vista Del Mondo and Posta Del Sole, our mountain properties, just a few miles from Spoleto, both just below the snow line, each stand in their own vast grounds. And, in both these places, there is a kind of peace you would normally associate with the mountains. We do not have dogs tethered nearby !
The rest of our apartments exist in communities. Spoleto By The Pool, La Passionata, La Romantica, Il Castello, L’Arco and Casa San Giovanne are in stereo-typically peaceful country environments. But, that’s not to say you may not hear cockerels crowing, church bells chiming and neighbours chatting on occasions.
Naturally, some places are quieter than others. But, it all depends on what kinds of sounds you are wishing to avoid. For instance, in central Spoleto, you may hear musicians practising, there are outdoor concerts held during the summer and, the music may not be to your taste and/or you may hear restoration work being carried out somewhere nearby. None of these things do we have any control over. However, most of our central Spoleto apartments are in pedestrian areas so the sound of traffic should not be an issue. There is a car-park at the back of the Rocca Dei Perugini but, it is small with just a few cars. Il Brignone is on a lane that bears traffic – but not much and, sometimes, you will hear locals chatting as they walk home along the lane at night; and, Penthouse On The Park is on a road that has traffic at certain times of the day and at other times, it is really quiet.
But Spoleto is Spoleto, a tiny city and a buzzy little place ! It has even been quoted as being Prince Charles’ favourite city – indeed, he has a place in the hills looking down on this mediaeval city. But, please, don’t let this put you off !! In any case, I love Spoleto, all our guests love it, Italians from all over Italy rave about it, it is SO beautiful……..what more can I say ! It is an experience not to be missed.
How to get there
-Fly to Rome or Ancona then take the train to Spoleto on the Ancona line. Or you can fly to Perugia.
-Cheap flights with Ryan Air.
-Car hire available from Avis either from the airport and we will send you directions or, alternatively, if you take the train to Spoleto, then, providing you book through their local Spoleto office, Avis will deliver a car to Spoleto station for you if you request it. Their number is ((0039)348 265 4005 – someone there speaks English). And, an interesting website that I’ve seen with apparently good deals is www.euro-cars.com
-If you decide to do without a car, then please arrange with my husband to pick you up at Spoleto station at a time to suit you both.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Rome, Ancona or Perugia: 20 km
Railway:
Spoleto: 15 km
Activities near Spoleto
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding Golf within 30 mins drive Fishing
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats City breaks Cycling holidays
Facilities
Luxuries:
Log fire, DVD player
General:
Central heating, Air conditioning, TV, CD player
Standard:
Kettle, Toaster, Iron, Hair dryer
Utilities:
Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Washing machine
Rooms:
Bedrooms (2), Shower rooms (1), WCs (1)
Furniture:
Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Cots (1), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 4, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Shared outdoor pool (unheated), Shared garden, BBQ
Access:
Secure parking
Further details indoors: Please see my personal website at end of this advert for further details.
With the exception of APT 5, which has just 1 double bedroom and 1 single bedroom, in the other 5 apartments, there is a double bedroom and a twin bedroom - and, there is a sofa-bed in all 6 apartments.
The apartments are almost identical in terms of their specification and fittings, windows, doors and views. The only characteristic that distinguishes one from another are their terraces and balconies.
Please order a cot and/or a high chair in advance of your arrival.
Further details outdoors: The gardens are manicured and landscaped with uninterrupted panoramic views of hills, olive groves and small towns on the horizen.
Further details
In response to an enquiry, you will automatically receive the booking information that contains information as to how to attract discounts, the cancellation conditions and much more.
Conditions
Flexible arrival/departure date
We take bookings on a daily basis - there is an extra daily tarif for bookings less than a week. Please see the Booking Information that you are automatically sent in response to an enquiry.
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
1 Jul 08
1 Sep 08
890£ 718
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Sep 08
17 Sep 08
760£ 613
0-
0-
2 Nights
17 Sep 08
1 Oct 08
740£ 597
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Oct 08
1 Nov 08
700£ 565
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Nov 08
1 Dec 08
560£ 452
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Dec 08
1 Apr 09
460£ 371
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Apr 09
1 May 09
560£ 452
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 May 09
1 Jun 09
790£ 637
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Jun 09
1 Jul 09
810£ 653
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Jul 09
1 Sep 09
950£ 766
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Sep 09
17 Sep 09
810£ 653
0-
0-
2 Nights
17 Sep 09
1 Oct 09
790£ 637
0-
0-
2 Nights
1 Oct 09
1 Nov 09
750£ 605
0-
0-
2 Nights
121
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. The above rates are for APT 1 - please see more details and lots more photos of the other 5 apartments on my personal website, which also shows details and photos of 30 + other apartments in and around central Spoleto - you will automatically receive access to this website in response to an enquiry.
The weekly rates may be increased as soon as photos of the outdoor Jacuzzi are showing.
The rate includes up to 4 persons - extra persons are 50 euros/week each.
Book more than 1 apt/attract 10% discount in 2008 - see how to attract other discounts in the Booking Info sent to you automatically in response to an enquiry.
Please note that if you book 2 apartments simultaneously, the 2nd sitting room can be used as a 3rd bedroom.
Flexible arrival/departure days.
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24575
Click to view availability for this property.
Please enquire about availability and I will get back to you immediately or as soon as I can. At the same time, I will send you Booking Information that contains details of how to attract a discount etc and my website address, which contains more photos and information of many other apartments in and around central Spoleto and Umbria.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/24575
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